Laurencekirk

The following photograph was received after the previous Newsletter had gone to print.

It shows Granville Cooper a new member from Scotland on his ‘First Rally’ being welcomed into the club by Len Stoneman.

Best wishes to Granville and hope to see you on future rallies.

The Editor.

Gunthorpe

We arrived at The Anchor Inn, a new venue for the club, to be met by new Marshals Jane and Ivan with their assistants Maureen and Seamus. Tea and Coffee on Thursday and Friday evenings were lively affairs. Saturday afternoon, the children enjoyed a game of horse racing and in the evening we all met in the pub for a meal and a game of knockout skittles.

Flag was held on Sunday morning where prizes were presented along with the usual sweets for the children. Peter Pool was given a birthday card notching up another year and a Get Well card was signed for Charles Bayliss. Steve Borg then presented plaques to Jane and Ivan thanking them for running their first rally and finding the venue, also to Maureen and Seamus for being assistants.

Over the weekend many ralliers paid a visit to Lowdhams Leisure, and also went walking by the river. Two new members were signed up to the club. Monday saw the departure of those who had to go back to work, whilst the rest of us made tracks on Tuesday. Well Done Jane and Ivan hope you are thinking of running it again next year.

If my addition is correct, and I’m sure someone will tell if it isn’t, this was the sixth consecutive year we have rallied at Slimbridge over the spring Bank Holiday. Each occasion has proved to be just as popular as the last with a good turnout of ‘vans. Everyone keen to visit the wildlife centre armed with binoculars, cameras and most importantly, food for the birds. This year was no exception and on Thursday afternoon Moss and Di Owen were ready to welcome the first of twelve attendees, making a total of thirteen including our Marshals.

The weather on Friday and Saturday proved to be excellent and I believe everyone visited the centre at least once during those two days. However, I’m afraid the weather forecasters got it right for once and during Saturday night the rain and wind took over. Sunday dawned to a downpour of rain, which only intensified as the day drew on.

The planned barbecue for Sunday was cancelled, but Flag was held in the Marshal’s awning. Derek Jackson officiated and thanked Moss and Di for putting on what has proved to be a most popular event, Moss confirming that he intends to book the site again for next year. Simeon and Barbara Tighe were also thanked for acting as Assistant Marshals and helping with the thousand and one things which have to be done during the weekend.

The results of the quiz proved to be a tie between John and Barbara Harris and John and Di Taylor. Fortunately our Marshal was able to find an additional first prize.

Monday arrived a bright sunny morning and in the afternoon, a number of members drove into nearby Tetbury to watch the Woolsack Races (a tradition which has been held for many years, where teams of four young men have a relay race up and down a 1 in 4 hill carrying a sack containing 64 lbs of wool). There is also a street market as well as entertainers of many different types. The weather held right up to the prize presentation and then the rain started once more, but everyone agreed that the trip had been worthwhile. A few people had to depart during Monday due to work commitments on the following day, which left the field sadly depleted. Fortunately, the entrance to the field had good drainage and everyone was able to get off unaided.

Thank you once again Moss and Di, I for one look forward to next year.